Well..according to my Training Journal on www.mapmyride.com, I've put in 803 miles in July. And, the journal tends to read my mileage just a bit short because of the conversion from my GPS to the mapping software. So, the total is probably a little higher than that...possibly as much as 825 for July.
Not bad!
Now, it's time to get a bit more focused and start treating my body a little better.
Yesterday night I was feeling like I was at an all time low. And, that had a lot to do with my performance in the race last night. But, it had even more to do with some other things I've had going on at work. Especially yesterday.
I only slept about 3 hours on Tuesday night. And, because I was heavily stressed about some things I needed to do at work on Wednesday, I never ate anything. No breakfast. No lunch. By about 4:30 I was exhausted from a lack of food and liquids and the stress of work.
When I hopped in my car at 5:30 to head to Grattan...I was in rough shape. So, I stopped at the gas station and bought a snickers and a Mt. Dew in the hopes that some sugar and some caffeine might get me through the race.
Obviously that didn't work.
Today I feel a little better. And, looking back at it, I realize that I am not in good enough physical condition to mistreat my body so badly and still expect to be competitive. 3 hours of sleep, stress, no food, and no energy means all bad news for me.
But, now that I've looked at my July mileage total...I realize that I've had a great month. So, I'm not going to stress out about last night.
What I am going to do is be a bit more diligent about preparing for rides. I need to be MUCH more conscious about my food intake. I need to do a better job of getting enough sleep. And, I need settle back in to a rhythm at work that will allow me to work in a slightly lower stress environment.
31 July 2008
30 July 2008
Massive Disappointment...really
I am hugely, massively, incredibaly dissapointed in my performance at Grattan tonight.
In fact, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm really upset with myself. I'm not sure I've ever been this disappointed with my own performance in an athletic endeavor.
Normally, I'm a strong supporter of, to quote MC, grinding out "the glorious failure". I figure I need to give it my best...even if my best sucks on any given day. And, today, I quit. And, now I'm upset with myself for quiting.
I had all my friends with me. I had MC there with a shiny new VCC jersey for me to wear. For the first time, I was really a part of the team...and, I quit. I really wanted to be there to help the team. I wanted to impress my friends...Greg, Aaron, Dave, MC, and Aaron were all there with me. But, instead, I parked my bike.
At first I was kind of OK with it...my legs weren't there tonight. I wasn't feeling it. I had done everything wrong to get ready for this race. So, I was sort of OK with accepting my poor performance.
But, the longer I think about it...the more I realize that I just quit. The rest is just excuses.
The rest of the gang rocked! I wanted to share in their battle stories about the sprint at the end and getting a good leadout. But, I wasn't there with them. I watched them all...and, they did awesome! But, still...it would have been cooler to be there with them.
This post is probably going to seem like a real downer...especially since the rest of the VCC team did so well, and had so much fun.
I hope we can get the crew together again for another Wednesday night. I realize now that I don't have any margin for error in my performance. I NEED to take care of myself in order to hang in the group at Grattan. So, I definitely will be taking better care of myself this week.
Full nights of sleep.
No more junk food.
No more pop.
Water. Fruits. Vegetables. Sleep. A good attitude.
VCC team...you guys rock! Next time, I'll be in there with you at the finish!
In fact, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm really upset with myself. I'm not sure I've ever been this disappointed with my own performance in an athletic endeavor.
Normally, I'm a strong supporter of, to quote MC, grinding out "the glorious failure". I figure I need to give it my best...even if my best sucks on any given day. And, today, I quit. And, now I'm upset with myself for quiting.
I had all my friends with me. I had MC there with a shiny new VCC jersey for me to wear. For the first time, I was really a part of the team...and, I quit. I really wanted to be there to help the team. I wanted to impress my friends...Greg, Aaron, Dave, MC, and Aaron were all there with me. But, instead, I parked my bike.
At first I was kind of OK with it...my legs weren't there tonight. I wasn't feeling it. I had done everything wrong to get ready for this race. So, I was sort of OK with accepting my poor performance.
But, the longer I think about it...the more I realize that I just quit. The rest is just excuses.
The rest of the gang rocked! I wanted to share in their battle stories about the sprint at the end and getting a good leadout. But, I wasn't there with them. I watched them all...and, they did awesome! But, still...it would have been cooler to be there with them.
This post is probably going to seem like a real downer...especially since the rest of the VCC team did so well, and had so much fun.
I hope we can get the crew together again for another Wednesday night. I realize now that I don't have any margin for error in my performance. I NEED to take care of myself in order to hang in the group at Grattan. So, I definitely will be taking better care of myself this week.
Full nights of sleep.
No more junk food.
No more pop.
Water. Fruits. Vegetables. Sleep. A good attitude.
VCC team...you guys rock! Next time, I'll be in there with you at the finish!
22 July 2008
Mileage?
Well...I've put in a lot of miles in the last 9 days. One more ride tonight should put me 450 mile range. Not quite as much as I thought it would be...I had estimated that it would be closer to 500 for the 10 days of vacation. Nonetheless...heck of a week!
Unfortunately, the links to the ride maps for the week were causing errors for some of my readers. So, I've pulled those down...
But, rest assured, I did do the mileage. I promise. I couldn't lie about a thing like that!
Unfortunately, the links to the ride maps for the week were causing errors for some of my readers. So, I've pulled those down...
But, rest assured, I did do the mileage. I promise. I couldn't lie about a thing like that!
19 July 2008
Holland Hundred
I'm not entirely sure what lead me to believe that doing back-to-back 100 mile rides was going to be a good idea. It sure did hurt today...not intolerable...not unbearable...but, a little painful.
As it turns out...it was a great idea. I had a blast. I had the chance to ride with Frank and Amy Yarde and, of course, with Berger. The 4 of us made our way from water stop to food stop to food stop to water stop. And, eventually, back home again. 103 miles later and we had accomplished something pretty spectacular. A full century ride...about 75 miles of which was in the rain. Not bad!
We left at about 7:30 from Holland and wandered around Ottawa and Allegan counties. Saw some little lakes, a big lake, lots of corn, horses, cows, some mysterious crops, a few mosquitos, and plenty of other nutcases on bikes. The ride was just under 6 hours of ride time...which I thought was pretty good. We had pancakes for breakfast, which I thought was nice.
All in all... I had a blast. It was a great ride. Frank is a frighteningly strong rider and I was left with the impression that he was only keeping things under control in the interests of keeping our group of four together. Amy and I had lots of chances to chat as we let Berger and Frank pull us around the countryside. And, Berger is just about the nicest guy in the world. So...how could it be anything but a great day?
Doing back-to-back century rides has me a little sore this evening. So, I'm a little iffy on how the JDRF ride is going to go tomorrow. I may really struggle to finish...we'll see. I talked to DID about doing some Cyclocross on some seasonal roads. But, the way my legs feel, I'm not sure that I want to make tomorrows ride more difficult than it needs to be. I should probably just keep it low key.
We'll see.
As it turns out...it was a great idea. I had a blast. I had the chance to ride with Frank and Amy Yarde and, of course, with Berger. The 4 of us made our way from water stop to food stop to food stop to water stop. And, eventually, back home again. 103 miles later and we had accomplished something pretty spectacular. A full century ride...about 75 miles of which was in the rain. Not bad!
We left at about 7:30 from Holland and wandered around Ottawa and Allegan counties. Saw some little lakes, a big lake, lots of corn, horses, cows, some mysterious crops, a few mosquitos, and plenty of other nutcases on bikes. The ride was just under 6 hours of ride time...which I thought was pretty good. We had pancakes for breakfast, which I thought was nice.
All in all... I had a blast. It was a great ride. Frank is a frighteningly strong rider and I was left with the impression that he was only keeping things under control in the interests of keeping our group of four together. Amy and I had lots of chances to chat as we let Berger and Frank pull us around the countryside. And, Berger is just about the nicest guy in the world. So...how could it be anything but a great day?
Doing back-to-back century rides has me a little sore this evening. So, I'm a little iffy on how the JDRF ride is going to go tomorrow. I may really struggle to finish...we'll see. I talked to DID about doing some Cyclocross on some seasonal roads. But, the way my legs feel, I'm not sure that I want to make tomorrows ride more difficult than it needs to be. I should probably just keep it low key.
We'll see.
18 July 2008
100 Miles before breakfast?
Well... I was invited to join some of the nutcases from VCC in a pre-bagel-ride ride. The plan was to knock out 70-75 miles and be back to the shop by 8:30. Then do the bagel ride of about 25 miles...giving us a century (roughly) ride before breakfast.
4:30AM at the shop? Sure!
100 miles before breakfast? Why not?!?
100 miles for the Holland Hundred tomorrow...giving me back-to-back century rides? Heck yes!
Well...it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Alarm went off at 3:30AM...about 3 hours after falling asleep. And...I immediately regretted my decision. What an idiot!
In spite of my initial reaction this morning, the ride was great. KP, MC, Aaron, Greg, Chad, and myself...6 weirdos on bikes, with headlights and blinkies were on the road by about 4:45AM. We had a ton of fun. Rode in the dark for a while, saw a lot of deer, watched the sun come up while on our bikes, toured some of the most scenic roads Allegan/Ottawa counties have to offer, and got a great workout. Pace was quick for the distance...at least, it was for me. Everyone else appeared to be pretty comfortable...but, I really had to work to keep up with them for 70 miles.
Eventually, we found our way back to the shop where the Yardes, J2 (John Jasker), Keith, Sloan, and others joined us. Finished our morning with breakfast at The Good Earth.
All-in-all...a great morning. I have 93 miles on my bike by about 10AM. Not bad!
Tomorrow morning I'm meeting up with Berger, and probably others, to do the Holland Hundred. The Yardes are riding and I'd like to ride with them...but, I imagine they are going to ride a slightly higher pace than Berger and I will be doing. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a leisurely, and slightly more relaxing 100 miles than this morning. I think Berger would agree!
Besides... there is a pancake breakfast, several water stops, and another food stop along the way. How can I go wrong with that? And, I'm determined to stop at Kilwins in Saugatuck on our way through. I'm not sure how much time we'll have...but, I'm making time for an ice cream cone. Even if I have to eat it while we ride. I'm getting some Mint Chocolate Chip. I don't care if it does cramp my stomach while I ride. I'm eating me some ice cream!
Sounds like Sunday should be a rest day doesn't it? Well, you'd be mistaken. Instead, I'll be doing the "long" JDRF training ride for the week. I'm imagining that Sunday evening will include 18 hours of sleep on my part. Possibly a coma. We'll see.
4:30AM at the shop? Sure!
100 miles before breakfast? Why not?!?
100 miles for the Holland Hundred tomorrow...giving me back-to-back century rides? Heck yes!
Well...it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Alarm went off at 3:30AM...about 3 hours after falling asleep. And...I immediately regretted my decision. What an idiot!
In spite of my initial reaction this morning, the ride was great. KP, MC, Aaron, Greg, Chad, and myself...6 weirdos on bikes, with headlights and blinkies were on the road by about 4:45AM. We had a ton of fun. Rode in the dark for a while, saw a lot of deer, watched the sun come up while on our bikes, toured some of the most scenic roads Allegan/Ottawa counties have to offer, and got a great workout. Pace was quick for the distance...at least, it was for me. Everyone else appeared to be pretty comfortable...but, I really had to work to keep up with them for 70 miles.
Eventually, we found our way back to the shop where the Yardes, J2 (John Jasker), Keith, Sloan, and others joined us. Finished our morning with breakfast at The Good Earth.
All-in-all...a great morning. I have 93 miles on my bike by about 10AM. Not bad!
Tomorrow morning I'm meeting up with Berger, and probably others, to do the Holland Hundred. The Yardes are riding and I'd like to ride with them...but, I imagine they are going to ride a slightly higher pace than Berger and I will be doing. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a leisurely, and slightly more relaxing 100 miles than this morning. I think Berger would agree!
Besides... there is a pancake breakfast, several water stops, and another food stop along the way. How can I go wrong with that? And, I'm determined to stop at Kilwins in Saugatuck on our way through. I'm not sure how much time we'll have...but, I'm making time for an ice cream cone. Even if I have to eat it while we ride. I'm getting some Mint Chocolate Chip. I don't care if it does cramp my stomach while I ride. I'm eating me some ice cream!
Sounds like Sunday should be a rest day doesn't it? Well, you'd be mistaken. Instead, I'll be doing the "long" JDRF training ride for the week. I'm imagining that Sunday evening will include 18 hours of sleep on my part. Possibly a coma. We'll see.
17 July 2008
Rest and Recovery?
Well...last night I took my first attempt at the Grattan Race Series. I was scared to death ahead of time as the prospect of hairpin turns, high speeds, and tightly packed groups seemed pretty intimidating. Hell...that track would be intimidating on foot, at slow speeds. The prospect of taking THOSE turns at THOSE speeds was enough to have me looking for ways NOT to race. Sure I had shown up with my bike...but, that was no reason to assume I was capable of the level of bike handling required to survive. We parked the mini-van in the grass...so, I immediately started looking for a hole in which I could I step and break my ankle.
"Oooops. Sorry everyone (mostly MC), looks like I won't be able to race for medical reasons." Limp, limp.
But...as usual, MC was there for me. He raced last night. More importantly, he helped me not to do anything stupid. Well...he did his best. My stupidity may or may not have been controllable. However, the fact that the evening didn't end with myself or anyone near me being carted off in the ambulance is directly attributable to the advice that MC gave me.
In any case, I had a blast. It was, at once, the most frightening, fun, and exhilarating thing I've ever done on a bike...or even off of a bike...in the last few years. I had more fun than I can explain. It honestly couldn't have been any more frightening...I'm reasonably sure that once a certain level of adrenaline driven athletic performance has been obtained, you really can't crank the knob any further...regardless of circumstances. As far as I'm concerned I had reached maximum...I was not capable of being any more frightened. If Grattan Raceway had 300' vertical cliffs off each side of the pavement....I wouldn't have been any more scared. Yet, I had a blast!
I was expecting it to be hotly contested, and the pace to be high. I had been warned by MC, Da'Ve, and J2 (John Jasker). But, I wasn't fully prepared for how difficult it was going to be to many other regards. I had no idea that the track would have hills...I was expecting something flat. I had no idea how easy it was to find yourself inexplicably out of the draft and needing to work to get back in. I had no idea how fast the accelerations would be, how tight the corners would be. It was shocking. Truly shocking...if you've never witnessed a bike race like this...its worth going. You just can't believe the speed at which a tightly packed group of bicycles can take a corner. It just doesn't seem feasible until you are in it, or witness it.
It was immediately clear to me that strategy played every bit as big a role as physical conditioning in the outcome of the race. Perhaps bigger. It took me a few laps just to figure out how to find a way in to the middle of the pack where I could take best advantage of the draft. MC seemed to just stay there....it didn't even look like he was working at it. I, on the other hand, felt like I was constantly struggling to find the 'sweet spot'. It was astonishingly difficult to keep yourself in that position once you found it...I spent a few more laps trying to figure out how to come out of a corner in the same position in the pack as I had been in when we went in to the corner. Many times I was in the right spot in the pack, went in to a corner thinking I had the right line, and came out of the corner on the other side only to find myself at the outer edge of the pack and back in the wind.
I survived...I stayed on the lead lap, I stayed on pace and in the pack, and even lead the pace for a little while (about 1/2 lap). So, I am definitely considering it a success. And, I'm definitely going back. As soon as I can!
It should be mentioned that any success I had was largely due to the help I got from MC, Aaron (another VCC guy at the race), Shugah, and others. But, mostly MC. He showed me where to go, how to ride, where to ride, who to avoid, who to follow, and just generally how to conduct myself. ANd, I must say, he took some pride in my performance last night. And, he should, because, again, any success I had can be attributed directly to what I've been taught by him and the rest of the circle of friends who ride in Holland. MC took the time to blog up on the topic of my performance last night. His conclusion about my performance was positive...really positive. I'm really not even sure how to react...I felt like I did, last night, what I was told I should do. I rode, to the best of my knowledge, the RIGHT way. And, if it weren't for MC, VCC, MCC, the Crazy Bastards, and others...I wouldn't have known what the right way was.
Now, if you're reading this...you might get the impression that I won the race. Or, finished near the front. Or, was spectacular in some way. But, that simply isn't accurate. I finished on the lead lap, near the back of the pack after the sprint...I was definitely a long way from being in contention. But, I cannot explain how big of an accomplishment that is for me when I look at where my fitness level was a year ago. Or, even 6 months ago. Honestly...just surviving the race was a big deal. And, I only survived because MC showed me what needed to be done.
Naturally, I'm already planning to go back and trying to figure out how to get better. I need to be a little faster. I was definitely riding near my upper limits last night. And, that left me with no room to go faster when needed. Sadly...I can't race next Wednesday. I'm in Chicago for work. But, the following Wednesday I'm racing again. And, somehow, I'm going to figure out how to get faster. I. Must. Get. Faster.
If you're available, and if you've never had the chance to witness the Grattan races, I encourage you to join me. It is truly a spectacle!
"Oooops. Sorry everyone (mostly MC), looks like I won't be able to race for medical reasons." Limp, limp.
But...as usual, MC was there for me. He raced last night. More importantly, he helped me not to do anything stupid. Well...he did his best. My stupidity may or may not have been controllable. However, the fact that the evening didn't end with myself or anyone near me being carted off in the ambulance is directly attributable to the advice that MC gave me.
In any case, I had a blast. It was, at once, the most frightening, fun, and exhilarating thing I've ever done on a bike...or even off of a bike...in the last few years. I had more fun than I can explain. It honestly couldn't have been any more frightening...I'm reasonably sure that once a certain level of adrenaline driven athletic performance has been obtained, you really can't crank the knob any further...regardless of circumstances. As far as I'm concerned I had reached maximum...I was not capable of being any more frightened. If Grattan Raceway had 300' vertical cliffs off each side of the pavement....I wouldn't have been any more scared. Yet, I had a blast!
I was expecting it to be hotly contested, and the pace to be high. I had been warned by MC, Da'Ve, and J2 (John Jasker). But, I wasn't fully prepared for how difficult it was going to be to many other regards. I had no idea that the track would have hills...I was expecting something flat. I had no idea how easy it was to find yourself inexplicably out of the draft and needing to work to get back in. I had no idea how fast the accelerations would be, how tight the corners would be. It was shocking. Truly shocking...if you've never witnessed a bike race like this...its worth going. You just can't believe the speed at which a tightly packed group of bicycles can take a corner. It just doesn't seem feasible until you are in it, or witness it.
It was immediately clear to me that strategy played every bit as big a role as physical conditioning in the outcome of the race. Perhaps bigger. It took me a few laps just to figure out how to find a way in to the middle of the pack where I could take best advantage of the draft. MC seemed to just stay there....it didn't even look like he was working at it. I, on the other hand, felt like I was constantly struggling to find the 'sweet spot'. It was astonishingly difficult to keep yourself in that position once you found it...I spent a few more laps trying to figure out how to come out of a corner in the same position in the pack as I had been in when we went in to the corner. Many times I was in the right spot in the pack, went in to a corner thinking I had the right line, and came out of the corner on the other side only to find myself at the outer edge of the pack and back in the wind.
I survived...I stayed on the lead lap, I stayed on pace and in the pack, and even lead the pace for a little while (about 1/2 lap). So, I am definitely considering it a success. And, I'm definitely going back. As soon as I can!
It should be mentioned that any success I had was largely due to the help I got from MC, Aaron (another VCC guy at the race), Shugah, and others. But, mostly MC. He showed me where to go, how to ride, where to ride, who to avoid, who to follow, and just generally how to conduct myself. ANd, I must say, he took some pride in my performance last night. And, he should, because, again, any success I had can be attributed directly to what I've been taught by him and the rest of the circle of friends who ride in Holland. MC took the time to blog up on the topic of my performance last night. His conclusion about my performance was positive...really positive. I'm really not even sure how to react...I felt like I did, last night, what I was told I should do. I rode, to the best of my knowledge, the RIGHT way. And, if it weren't for MC, VCC, MCC, the Crazy Bastards, and others...I wouldn't have known what the right way was.
Now, if you're reading this...you might get the impression that I won the race. Or, finished near the front. Or, was spectacular in some way. But, that simply isn't accurate. I finished on the lead lap, near the back of the pack after the sprint...I was definitely a long way from being in contention. But, I cannot explain how big of an accomplishment that is for me when I look at where my fitness level was a year ago. Or, even 6 months ago. Honestly...just surviving the race was a big deal. And, I only survived because MC showed me what needed to be done.
Naturally, I'm already planning to go back and trying to figure out how to get better. I need to be a little faster. I was definitely riding near my upper limits last night. And, that left me with no room to go faster when needed. Sadly...I can't race next Wednesday. I'm in Chicago for work. But, the following Wednesday I'm racing again. And, somehow, I'm going to figure out how to get faster. I. Must. Get. Faster.
If you're available, and if you've never had the chance to witness the Grattan races, I encourage you to join me. It is truly a spectacle!
15 July 2008
Bloggin from the Hammock (or, Bloggin from Vacation)
Well... I've not updated my blog much recently. That comes as a bit of a disappointment to me. I really intended to use this space as a means to do some thinking and creating. Sadly, I've just not had the time to keep up on it lately.
Nonetheless...I've got time today. So, here we go.
Vacation this week. Score. Or, more like STAYcation (to borrow a term I heard MC use), since I'll be spending the week around the house. Lots of time to spend with the kids in the pool. Lots of time to watch TDF coverage. Lots of time to ride my bike. And, by all appearances, lots of good weather in the forecast. So...what can I say? Life is pretty good right now.
Plans for the week?
Sunday (two days ago) - Pseudo-JDRF ride. Sadly...I had a mechanical issue before we even left. Which, of course, caused us to be late and basically threw the whole day off. Bummer.
Monday (yesterday) - MCC Monday Night Ride. Had a blast again last night. Beautiful weather, lots of good people. Fun ride. We hammered it for the last few miles on Grafschaap, which I think is a lot of fun. Some people got dropped, I think, but most of the group was together. Plus, this was just in the last couple miles coming in to town...so, it isn't as if anyone was going to get lost.
Tuesday - VCC Tuesday Night Ride. I get to borrow the tandem from MC again...and, I'm so excited. My son Davis will be my stoker for the ride....it should be a blast. Nice, low key, laid back ride would be ideal...I need to recover from the little bit of hammering last night, and I need to be ready for tomorrow.
Wednesday - Grattan...arrgghhh. I'm still a little nervous on this topic...but, I've committed to it. This will be my first ever race (other than cyclocross), and I'm very hesitant. I'm not sure I've got the fitness to keep up, and I'm definitely not sure I've got the chops to run in a tightly packed group around corners. I guess we'll find out.
Thursday - The morning recovery ride followed by a very civilized bagel at The Good Earth. Should be a nice way to spin some of the lactic acid out of my legs as I'm betting they will feel like lead after Wednesday night.
Friday - Bagel ride in the morning. This will be my first ever bagel ride...and, it was hinted to me that I may be invited to participate in a little pre-bagel ride endeavor that would bring the mileage for the morning to about 100 miles...yikes.
Saturday - Holland Hundred...my first "Official" century ride. Berger sounded like he was interested in riding with me on Saturday morning. So, I'll probably roll to the start between 6:30 and 7:00 AM and see who is there. Hopefully Berger and I will find a few more to ride with....it would be nice to have a few more to share the pulls at the front. I'm thinking we'll be doing something in the 16-18mph range. Nothing too serious.
Sunday - Great Norther JDRF ride...nice long training ride. Brats. Salsa. A pool...and the chance to bring my kids along. Should be a fund day!
Monday - a repeat on the MCC Monday Night ride...the last ride of my vacation. Then, I'm off to work again.
Doing some rough calculating and I come up with about 450 miles of riding from Sunday through the following Monday. Wooo hooo. I'll need a vacation from my vacation!
Anyway...I'm feeling a lot stronger on the bike lately. My LT has been going up a little...and I'm getting faster staying within my LT. I feel like I can pull at the front more comfortably on the group rides...even at higher speeds. Speeds that would have caused me lots of pain last year. So, even if I am a complete failure at Grattan tomorrow night, I feel like I've made significant progress this summer.
Speaking of progress. I'm excited about cross season getting started in the fall. I'm still working out the bike situation. But, I think the Volpe is going to get stripped down a little and be my cross bike. I'm figuring out, with the help of Aaron and MC, how I can convert my Lotus to fixxie...and I'll probably put that in to use as my commuter for a while.
I've been talking to lots of people about the riding I did while I was in North Carolina...and, the more I talk about it, the more glad I am that I did it. IT was well worth it. Of course, it didn't feel like it at the time...it just felt like misery while I was trudging up the mountains. But, now that I've returned and had some time to think about it...I'm really glad I did it. Especially the Blue Ridge Parkway...that was a totally unique experience. And, now I can't wait to go back. I want to go do one of those week-long tours of the parkway....bring a tent and some gear on the bike and ride the whole thing. It would be a blast!
Ride through the Rockies...John Jasker came to me with this idea. Sounded like a good idea...and, now that I've been thinking about it more, it sounds like a really good idea. Not too expensive, I think. But, still well beyond my means at the moment...and, my lovely wife isn't too interested in hearing about how I'm going to spend more money on bike stuff right now. Especially when we've got plenty of other bills to pay. But... I don't know...I really want to go. And, it sounds like John does too. So, I'm going to have to figure something out. Maybe I can make a special bonus at work this year, or get a part-time job, or something. Who knows...I've got plenty of time to figure it out. Registration doesn't even open until February, and even then it isn't guaranteed.
JDRF fundraising has been at a bit of stand-still this past couple months while I've been busy at work. It's time for me to get my act together...I still haven't sent out a mailer to the people I know within my company. So, I'd like to get that done this week. I think I'd probably put myself just about at my budget if I get that mailer done....we'll see.
The kids are calling...time to go to the library and pick out some books. I'll post up more tomorrow!
Nonetheless...I've got time today. So, here we go.
Vacation this week. Score. Or, more like STAYcation (to borrow a term I heard MC use), since I'll be spending the week around the house. Lots of time to spend with the kids in the pool. Lots of time to watch TDF coverage. Lots of time to ride my bike. And, by all appearances, lots of good weather in the forecast. So...what can I say? Life is pretty good right now.
Plans for the week?
Sunday (two days ago) - Pseudo-JDRF ride. Sadly...I had a mechanical issue before we even left. Which, of course, caused us to be late and basically threw the whole day off. Bummer.
Monday (yesterday) - MCC Monday Night Ride. Had a blast again last night. Beautiful weather, lots of good people. Fun ride. We hammered it for the last few miles on Grafschaap, which I think is a lot of fun. Some people got dropped, I think, but most of the group was together. Plus, this was just in the last couple miles coming in to town...so, it isn't as if anyone was going to get lost.
Tuesday - VCC Tuesday Night Ride. I get to borrow the tandem from MC again...and, I'm so excited. My son Davis will be my stoker for the ride....it should be a blast. Nice, low key, laid back ride would be ideal...I need to recover from the little bit of hammering last night, and I need to be ready for tomorrow.
Wednesday - Grattan...arrgghhh. I'm still a little nervous on this topic...but, I've committed to it. This will be my first ever race (other than cyclocross), and I'm very hesitant. I'm not sure I've got the fitness to keep up, and I'm definitely not sure I've got the chops to run in a tightly packed group around corners. I guess we'll find out.
Thursday - The morning recovery ride followed by a very civilized bagel at The Good Earth. Should be a nice way to spin some of the lactic acid out of my legs as I'm betting they will feel like lead after Wednesday night.
Friday - Bagel ride in the morning. This will be my first ever bagel ride...and, it was hinted to me that I may be invited to participate in a little pre-bagel ride endeavor that would bring the mileage for the morning to about 100 miles...yikes.
Saturday - Holland Hundred...my first "Official" century ride. Berger sounded like he was interested in riding with me on Saturday morning. So, I'll probably roll to the start between 6:30 and 7:00 AM and see who is there. Hopefully Berger and I will find a few more to ride with....it would be nice to have a few more to share the pulls at the front. I'm thinking we'll be doing something in the 16-18mph range. Nothing too serious.
Sunday - Great Norther JDRF ride...nice long training ride. Brats. Salsa. A pool...and the chance to bring my kids along. Should be a fund day!
Monday - a repeat on the MCC Monday Night ride...the last ride of my vacation. Then, I'm off to work again.
Doing some rough calculating and I come up with about 450 miles of riding from Sunday through the following Monday. Wooo hooo. I'll need a vacation from my vacation!
Anyway...I'm feeling a lot stronger on the bike lately. My LT has been going up a little...and I'm getting faster staying within my LT. I feel like I can pull at the front more comfortably on the group rides...even at higher speeds. Speeds that would have caused me lots of pain last year. So, even if I am a complete failure at Grattan tomorrow night, I feel like I've made significant progress this summer.
Speaking of progress. I'm excited about cross season getting started in the fall. I'm still working out the bike situation. But, I think the Volpe is going to get stripped down a little and be my cross bike. I'm figuring out, with the help of Aaron and MC, how I can convert my Lotus to fixxie...and I'll probably put that in to use as my commuter for a while.
I've been talking to lots of people about the riding I did while I was in North Carolina...and, the more I talk about it, the more glad I am that I did it. IT was well worth it. Of course, it didn't feel like it at the time...it just felt like misery while I was trudging up the mountains. But, now that I've returned and had some time to think about it...I'm really glad I did it. Especially the Blue Ridge Parkway...that was a totally unique experience. And, now I can't wait to go back. I want to go do one of those week-long tours of the parkway....bring a tent and some gear on the bike and ride the whole thing. It would be a blast!
Ride through the Rockies...John Jasker came to me with this idea. Sounded like a good idea...and, now that I've been thinking about it more, it sounds like a really good idea. Not too expensive, I think. But, still well beyond my means at the moment...and, my lovely wife isn't too interested in hearing about how I'm going to spend more money on bike stuff right now. Especially when we've got plenty of other bills to pay. But... I don't know...I really want to go. And, it sounds like John does too. So, I'm going to have to figure something out. Maybe I can make a special bonus at work this year, or get a part-time job, or something. Who knows...I've got plenty of time to figure it out. Registration doesn't even open until February, and even then it isn't guaranteed.
JDRF fundraising has been at a bit of stand-still this past couple months while I've been busy at work. It's time for me to get my act together...I still haven't sent out a mailer to the people I know within my company. So, I'd like to get that done this week. I think I'd probably put myself just about at my budget if I get that mailer done....we'll see.
The kids are calling...time to go to the library and pick out some books. I'll post up more tomorrow!
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